How to Cancel a Stuck SharePoint Download in Chrome or Edge
Question details
The user needs to cancel or troubleshoot a SharePoint file download that remains stuck at 0% or runs endlessly in web browsers like Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
- Product
- SharePoint and Web Browsers
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Downloading large files or multiple documents simultaneously from a SharePoint site via a web browser.
- Observed behavior
- The download task freezes at 0% or runs continuously for hours, and attempting to cancel the task directly from the browser's download bar sometimes fails.
Ensure you have a stable internet connection. If your browser is completely frozen by the background download task, you may need to save your work in other tabs before proceeding.
Use OneDrive Desktop Sync App for Large Downloads
For large or recurring SharePoint downloads, syncing files directly to your PC is significantly more reliable than relying on browser downloads.
Browsers often struggle to zip and transfer large batches of files from SharePoint, leading to frozen downloads. By utilizing the built-in OneDrive desktop sync feature, you bypass browser limitations and handle file transfers seamlessly in the background.
Open your SharePoint document library in your browser and locate the folder containing the files you wish to download.
Look at the top command bar of the SharePoint library and click on the 'Sync' button.
Your browser will prompt you to open Microsoft OneDrive. Accept the prompt to launch the OneDrive desktop application.
Open File Explorer on your computer. You will now see a new folder with your organization's name where the SharePoint files will securely download and sync.
Cancel the Stuck Task from the Browser Downloads Page
Forcefully terminate the stalled download task from the browser's full download manager if the standard pop-up menu is unresponsive.
Seamlessly Open Downloaded Documents with WPS Office
Once you successfully download or sync your SharePoint documents to your local computer, you need a robust and fast software suite to view and edit them. WPS Office is a highly compatible, lightweight, and completely free alternative to Microsoft Office.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your device.
- 2. Locate your synced files: Navigate to the folder where your SharePoint documents were downloaded or synced.
- 3. Open and edit seamlessly: Right-click your document and select 'Open with WPS Office' to begin editing immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my SharePoint browser download get stuck at 0%?
Browsers often struggle to zip and process large files or large quantities of files from SharePoint. If the combined file size exceeds standard browser processing limits or if the network connection fluctuates, the packaging process on the server may stall, leaving the download stuck at 0%.
Can I download multiple SharePoint files without zipping them?
When using a web browser, SharePoint automatically zips multiple files together to download them as a single package. To avoid this zipping process and download files individually in their native formats, you should use the OneDrive desktop sync client instead.
Does clearing the browser cache fix stuck SharePoint downloads?
Yes, occasionally a corrupted cache or conflicting cookies can interfere with secure browser downloads. Clearing your cache and cookies in the Chrome or Edge settings can often resolve persistent connectivity or download initiation issues.
How large of a file can I download directly from SharePoint via a browser?
While SharePoint itself supports large files, browser-based downloads tend to become unstable with files or bulk folders exceeding a few gigabytes. It is highly recommended to use the OneDrive sync app for downloading any files or folders that exceed 2GB.
